Send us Fan Mail

In this episode of A Touch of Class, Will Griffith sits down with Esker Hills’ own Ella Cantwell - the 2026 Inaugural Women’s West of Ireland Champion, Irish international, and one of the most exciting young golfers rising through the ranks.

Ella reflects on her journey through junior golf, from growing up in Offaly and developing her game at Esker Hills Golf Club - the same club that produced West of Ireland and Open Champion Shane Lowry - to becoming one of the standout performers on the Irish amateur circuit. She talks through her breakthrough win at Castle Dargan in 2026, the mindset that carried her through the final day, and the work behind her rapid rise.

Ella also chats about balancing school with elite competition, the influence of her coaches and family, and the goals she’s chasing as she continues her climb through Irish and international amateur golf.

Topics Covered:

• Growing up in Offaly and developing at Esker Hills
• Early junior success and winning Leinster Senior Foursomes with Tullamore
• Winning the 2026 Women’s West of Ireland Championship at Castle Dargan
• Key moments and mindset from her victory
• Coaching influences and technical development
• Balancing school, travel, and elite competition
• Goals for the season and long‑term ambitions

If you love stories of rising talent, elite junior golf, and the mindset behind breakthrough performances, this episode is one you’ll savour.

Follow us on Instagram @atocpod and follow our YouTube channel @PARfectlyclassy

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode of A Touch of Class, Will Griffith sits down with Bray’s own Keith Nolan — North of Ireland Champion, back‑to‑back Irish Amateur winner, Walker Cup player, and one of the most accomplished Irish golfers of his generation.

Keith reflects on his rise through Irish amateur golf, from winning the 1995 North of Ireland Championship to claiming the Irish Amateur titles in 1996 and 1997, achievements that cemented his place among Ireland’s elite. He talks about representing Great Britain & Ireland in the 1997 Walker Cup, his standout collegiate career at East Tennessee State University, and the journey that led to 87 starts on the PGA Tour.

Keith also chats about his current roles working with the Champions Tour and his role as caddie to Open Champion Darren Clarke.

Topics Covered:

• Growing up in Bray and early Irish golf influences
• Winning the 1995 North of Ireland Championship
• Back‑to‑back Irish Amateur titles in 1996 & 1997
• Representing GB&I in the 1997 Walker Cup
• Life at ETSU and transition to the PGA Tour
• Making 87 PGA Tour starts
• Caddying for Darren Clarke and life on tour today

If you love Irish golf history, elite amateur stories, and behind‑the‑scenes insight from the professional game, this episode is one you’ll savour.

Follow us on Instagram @atocpod and follow our YouTube channel @PARfectlyclassy

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode of A Touch of Class, Will Griffith sits down with Donegal’s own Séamus McMonagle — PGA Professional, Barton Shield winner, and one of the most respected coaching voices in Irish golf.

Séamus shares his journey from growing up in Donegal’s tight‑knit golf community to competing at the highest levels of Irish amateur golf, winning national titles, and eventually turning professional. He talks about his time in Australia, New York, and Miami, the lessons he learned on the road, and how those experiences shaped the coach he is today.

Topics Covered:

• Growing up in Donegal golf
• Winning the Barton Shield with Sutton
• Life as a young Irish golfer abroad
• Coaching philosophy and player development
• Stories from the road and the people who shaped his journey

If you love Irish golf, great stories, and honest conversation, this episode is a wander worth taking.

Follow us on Instagram @atocpod and follow our YouTube channel @PARfectlyclassy

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode of A Touch of Class, Will Griffith sits down with one of the brightest young talents in Irish golf - Katie Poots. Hailing from Knock Golf Club in Northern Ireland, Katie has already built a résumé that reads like a seasoned player.

Katie burst onto the scene with her victory at the Irish Girls Championship, a win that marked her as one to watch. She went on to represent Ireland twice at the European Girls Team Championships, showcasing her consistency and composure on the international stage. Katie also earned selection for the Junior Vagliano Trophy, competing against the best young players in Europe.

Closer to home, she claimed the Ulster Women’s Stroke Play Championship and played a key role in Ulster’s Interprovincial victories, delivering when it mattered most.

Now based in Indiana, USA, Katie is balancing college life with elite competition - sharpening her game, gaining experience, and preparing for the next chapter. And make no mistake: that next chapter is big. Katie plans on turning professional, and everything about her trajectory suggests she’s more than ready.

Topics Covered:

• Growing up at Knock Golf Club
• Winning the Irish Girls Championship
• Representing Ireland at the European Girls Team Championships
• Junior Vagliano Trophy experience
• Ulster Interprovincial victories
• College golf in Indiana
• Preparing for life as a future professional

A wonderful personality, a fierce competitor, and a player who can go low when it counts - Katie Poots is a name you’re going to hear a lot more of.

Follow us on Instagram @atocpod and follow our YouTube channel @PARfectlyclassy

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode of A Touch of Class, Will Griffith sits down with Wexford’s own Luke Furlong — 2026 Irish Boys Open Champion, Irish Schools winner, and one of the brightest young talents in Irish golf.

Luke talks through his breakthrough victory at Malone, where he came from behind on Sunday to win the 2026 Irish Boys Open Championship, a performance that put him firmly on the national radar. He reflects on growing up in Wexford Golf Club, developing into a +3 handicap at just seventeen, and the confidence he gained from winning the 2025 Irish Schools Championship at Milltown.

Luke also shares his excitement about signing with Arkansas State University, his ambitions for college golf in the United States, and his long‑term dream of turning professional once his education is complete.

Topics Covered:

• Growing up in Wexford Golf Club
• Winning the 2026 Irish Boys Open at Malone
• The back‑nine momentum that sealed the title
• Winning the 2025 Irish Schools Championship
• Life as a +3 handicap junior golfer
• Committing to Arkansas State University
• Long‑term goals and the path toward professional golf

If you enjoy stories of emerging Irish talent, competitive junior golf, and the mindset behind breakthrough performances, this episode is one you’ll enjoy.

Follow us on Instagram @atocpod and follow our YouTube channel @PARfectlyclassy

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode of A Touch of Class, Will Griffith sits down with Cavan’s own Eddie McCormack — Senior Irish Amateur Open Champion, Matchplay Champion, European Gold Medalist, and one of the great characters of Irish golf.

Eddie reflects on his remarkable two‑act career. In his early years, he battled the very best: losing the 2005 Irish Close final to a teenage Rory McIlroy, falling to Shane Lowry in the 2008 West of Ireland semi‑final, and finishing runner‑up again in the 2010 West. Along the way he collected three Senior Cup All‑Ireland medals, a Barton Shield title with Galway Golf Club, eight mid‑amateur wins, and the 2018 Connacht Stroke Play.

But Eddie’s second act is even more extraordinary. He relives winning the 2023 European Senior Individual Gold Medal at Douglas, a victory that earned him a place in the Senior Open, where he played alongside his hero José María Olazábal. In 2025, Eddie made history by becoming the first player ever to win both the Senior Irish Amateur Open and Senior Matchplay in the same season, before adding a European Senior Team Championship gold medal in Austria.

Topics Covered:

• Growing up in Cavan and early amateur battles
• Facing Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry & Ireland’s elite
• Senior Cup and Barton Shield success with Galway
• Eight mid‑amateur titles & the 2018 Connacht Stroke Play
• Winning the 2023 European Senior Gold Medal
• Playing in the Senior Open with José María Olazábal
• Making history with the 2025 Senior Open & Matchplay double
• Winning European Senior Team gold with Ireland

If you love Irish golf legends, comeback stories, and the grit behind long‑term success, this episode is one you won’t forget.

Follow us on Instagram @atocpod and follow our YouTube channel @PARfectlyclassy

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode of A Touch of Class, Will Griffith sits down with Meath’s own Mark Cadden — 2026 West of Ireland Champion, Irish international, and one of the most exciting young players emerging in Irish golf.

Mark reflects on his journey from growing up in Oldcastle to developing his game at Roganstown under coach Geoff Loughrey, where he transformed from a 21‑handicap junior to a + player in just a few years. He talks about his early success, including winning the 2023 Ulster Boys Championship and collecting four Junior Elite Tour victories across 2024 and 2025.

Mark also shares his experiences representing Ireland at U16 and U18 level, travelling to Argentina for international duty, and competing at TPC Sawgrass in the Junior Players — a rare honour for any young golfer.

The episode dives deep into his incredible run at Rosses Point, where he battled brutal conditions and defeated some of Ireland’s best, including Caolan Rafferty, Alex Kerins, and Colm Campbell in a dramatic final to win the 2026 West of Ireland Championship.

Topics Covered:

• Growing up in Oldcastle and developing at Roganstown
• Working with Geoff Loughrey and rapid handicap progression
• Winning the 2023 Ulster Boys Championship
• Four Junior Elite Tour victories in 2024 & 2025
• Representing Ireland at U16 & U18 level
• Competing at TPC Sawgrass in the Junior Players
• The full story of his 2026 West of Ireland win
• Looking ahead to Walker Cup ambitions

If you enjoy stories of rising Irish talent, elite junior golf, and the mindset behind championship performances, this episode is one you’ll want to hear.

Follow us on Instagram @atocpod and follow our YouTube channel @PARfectlyclassy

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode of A Touch of Class, Will Griffith sits down with Malahide’s own Paul McBride - Irish professional golfer, 2017 Walker Cup player, and standout collegiate star from Wake Forest University.

Paul reflects on his multi‑sport childhood, winning Dublin schools titles in hurling before committing fully to golf and developing his game at The Island Golf Club, where he learned the links skills that shaped his career. He talks about his journey to Wake Forest University, rooming and competing alongside future PGA Tour stars Cameron Young and Will Zalatoris, and winning multiple collegiate events as part of one of the strongest teams in U.S. college golf.

Paul also revisits his elite amateur years, including reaching the semi‑final of the 2016 British Amateur (losing to Robert MacIntyre) and earning selection for the 2017 Walker Cup, where he secured a memorable foursomes point against his college teammate Zalatoris.

Now a professional, Paul discusses his progress on tour, including multiple top‑10 finishes, a strong start to 2026, and his ambition to secure full status on the HotelPlanner Tour for next season.

Topics Covered:

• Growing up in Malahide and early sporting success
• Developing his game at The Island Golf Club
• Life at Wake Forest with Cameron Young & Will Zalatoris
• Reaching the 2016 British Amateur semi‑final
• Representing GB&I in the 2017 Walker Cup
• Transitioning to professional golf
• Early top‑10 finishes and goals for 2026

If you enjoy stories of Irish professionals, elite amateur pathways, and the realities of life on tour, this episode is one you’ll enjoy.

Follow us on Instagram @atocpod and follow our YouTube channel @PARfectlyclassy